African Spurred Tortoise

African Spurred Tortoise care at a glance

Adult length

60–90 cm (24–35 in)

Adult weight

30–70 kg (66.1–154.3 lb)

Lifespan

50–80 years

Basking / warm side

35–38 °C (95–100 °F)

Cool side

26–29 °C (79–84 °F)

Night minimum

21 °C (70 °F)

Humidity

40–60%

UVB

Essential

Diet

Herbivore: grasses and hay, high in fibre

Activity

Diurnal

Lifestyle

Terrestrial

Length is carapace length. Adults need a large outdoor space.

Typical values from common keeping practice. Individual animals and setups vary.

African Spurred Tortoise research

72 published papers in the HerpAtlas library. Most cited below, or see the latest research →

• The illegal wildlife digital market: an analysis of Chinese wildlife marketing and sale on Facebook

  Environmental Conservation · 2020 · cited 68 times

• Body size development of captive and free-ranging African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata): High plasticity in reptilian growth rates

  Zurich Open Repository and Archive (University of Zurich) · 2010 · cited 28 times

• Influence of environmental humidity and dietary protein on pyramidal growth of carapaces in African spurred tortoises (Geochelone sulcata).

  Journal of animal physiology and animal nutrition · 2003 · cited 21 times

• Production of Biodiesel from a Novel Combination of Raphia Africana Kernel Oil and Turtle Shell (Centrochelys Sulcata) Heterogenous Catalyst

  Journal of Human Earth and Future · 2021 · cited 20 times

• Comparative growth patterns in Afrotropical giant tortoises (Reptilia Testudinidae)

  Tropical Zoology · 2002 · cited 19 times

• Environmental impact assessment of coal mining at Enugu, Nigeria

  Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal · 2014 · cited 17 times

• Cystic calculi removal in African spurred Tortoise Geochelone sulcata using transplstron coeliotomy

  Veterinary World · 2012 · cited 13 times

• A large testudinid with African affinities in the post‐Messinian (lower Pliocene) record of south‐eastern Spain

  Palaeontology · 2020 · cited 13 times